DESCRIPTION:Owned by KLCC Properties Bhd, the hotel is the second addition of hospitality establishment by this land-rich company after the successful venture in the form of Mandarin Oriental Hotel, just right nearby. It is operated by the Impiana Hotels & Resorts Management Sdn Bhd, which portfolio mostly consists of spa resorts in Cherating, Phuket and Ko Samui. Indeed, operating a city hotel in Kuala Lumpur's most prestigious area is probably a challenge for the Impiana chain to undertake.

The hotel building can best be described as modern and contemporary, with exquisite granite blocks interlaced with large glass windows. There are plenty of steel frame usage especially at the main entrance. I actually liked the lobby design especially the reception counter which is done in a minimalist style (I am never a fan of excessive decoration which can be regarded as obstructive and, in some cases, just plain ugly). The lounge is beautifully done too, with a number of plush sofa arranged for intimate social conversation.

Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa boasts 335 well-appointed guestrooms, consisting of 92 Superior units, 51 Deluxe King units, 179 Deluxe Twin units and 13 Premier Deluxe units. I managed to get a Deluxe Twin Room during the high season of Middle Eastern tourists (they were everywhere though; the lobby, the restaurants, etc). I loved the room that I stayed in. With about 36m˛ of space, it is actually very spacious and comfortable. Added to that are the plush twin beds, exquisite timber-strip floors, extra large L-shaped writing desk enough for your laptop and business papers, funky red suede sofa with leg rest at the room corner, etc. The bathroom is not that bad either, with sliding door, nicely-designed toiletry kits and a bathtub with hand-shower (unfortunately not rain showers, unlike the heavenly ones at Crowne Plaza Mutiara, KL Hilton or Hotel Maya). Before I forgot, the hotel also offers evening turndown service for your beds. Overall, I am very happy with the room.

As for the facilities, Impiana KLCC Hotel & Spa offers complimentary in-room and wireless broadband internet access, multi-level parking floors (free for hotel guests), fully-equipped gym and aerobic room, etc. The swimming pool is located some floors up (on the 5th floor if memory serves me right), on the same level as the upcoming Swasana Spa, scheduled to be opened in December 2006. While the idea of having the pool facing the Petronas Twin Towers and the city is commendable yet predictable, I did not quite like it. The view is fabulous for sure, and the infinity edge gives an impression of dropping right onto the street of Jalan Pinang down below but perhaps the hotel could do with some greenery and lush tropical landscaping to make use of the empty spaces with nothing but pool chairs and umbrellas.

The F&B outlets in the hotel are very well-designed with stylish and modern concept. The main all-day dining outlet is the Tonka Bean Café which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The interior is very nice with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, open-air kitchen, counter-top buffet selections and a great coffee bar which the staff will duly entertain any special order for your morning caffeine shots. The comfy Lobby Lounge mostly serves coffee, tea, cappuccino and cakes, and with the evening performance of a decent violin ensemble, you can indeed have a relaxing social time. For wine lovers, the hotel offers Oswego Bar (the name reminds me of my 5-year stint in upstate New York), and for your expensive cigars and stoggies, the plush Bohemia Tobacco is the place to be.